Chuck's Chat - Welcome to September 2024
The annual Montgomery County Farm Bureau meeting will be held October 2nd at ICC West in Independence. Beginning at 6:30pm, we’ll recognize the Farm Family of the Year, Natural Resources award winner, and acknowledge 4-H and FFA grant winners. In addition, we will hold elections for President, Vice President, three board member positions, and KFB annual meeting delegates. More importantly, we will be holding our annual silent auction with this year’s proceeds going to Justin Ward. A deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Justin was involved in a serious accident on April 7, 2024. While responding to a non-injury accident, his patrol car was struck head-on by an oncoming vehicle that crossed the center line. Justin is on the road to recovery, but he and his family could still use some assistance. If you would like to donate an item, contact Kathy O’Brien at the office, or call 620-331-0826. More details regarding the silent auction can be found on our Facebook page as we get closer to the event.
National Farm Safety and Health Week will be observed Sept. 15-21 this year. The theme, “Don’t Learn Safety by Accident,” encourages people to take a proactive approach to safety education. The 2021 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 453 fatalities. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council. Follow our Facebook page for daily tips and ideas during this week.
September is national honey month. Did you know honey is the only edible substance produced by any insect that is known to man? Of all the diverse millions of insects on the planet, bees are the only insects that produce a substance man can comfortably eat without any side effects. Also, to produce about a pound of honey, over 2 million nectar producing flowers must be visited. An average bee produces just one twelfth of a tablespoon of honey in its lifetime which may last for about 6 weeks in a busy season. One colony of honeybees may produce 60 to 100 pounds a year. And furthermore, scientists have found through research that raw, unprocessed honey provides protection for teeth against tooth decay. Raw honey also helps to reduce the amount of acid created by bacteria present in the mouth that are responsible for tooth decay. Honey will also help battle infections of the gum and reduces swelling. Sweet!
Until next month,
Chuck Voelker